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 Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 8:55 pm
Things were coming up on a year since they’d met and started to date, a year full of ups and downs and so many things in-between, Liam was surprised it had only been a year because it certainly felt like a lot longer. With how much had happened, especially helping Aloysius drop the drinking and smoking, it really did feel like a lot more time had passed. Perhaps it was just because of how long things seemed to drag on, because they’d been so busy dealing with things, but a year it had been and only that.
People he knew celebrated these sorts of things, he’d heard it and seen it on tv enough to know these things were important, so Liam had decided to surprise Aloysius for the day. That meant he needed to plan ahead and gather what he needed for his partner. Deciding on what to do and what to get the other had taken time, a lot of time, because he wanted to keep it small and intimate rather than them going out somewhere.
The first thing he’d figured was making dinner, which was easy enough for him, and maybe some flowers though that he wasn’t sure on really but he did know the other liked roses. So he’d ordered purple roses, just purple roses and some greens, in order to decorate the kitchen table. They were a nice light purple color, pretty and elegant he supposed, and from there Liam had struggled. This was not something he was good at, as he discovered rather quickly, because he’d never had to think of such things - he’d never had a need or a reason for these sorts of things.
There was, while he’d been pondering all of these things, a new grocery store opening in the city. It was an Italian grocery store, though they had enough American things to keep customers from having to go elsewhere, the place had plenty of Italian foods as well. From freshly made mozzarella and pasta to an espresso bar in the place and fresh gelato. That was something he’d gone for then - gelato. He’d gotten fresh gelato for the other, two different flavors, and then on his way out he’d spotted a do it yourself kit of shells and cream for making cannolis. That he’d picked up as well and hidden them, because if Aloysius saw any of these things he’d surely eat them without knowing.
Dinner was planned out by him, something simple but good, and then perhaps just a movie night spent together in the living room? The last but he wasn’t sure on but he really couldn’t think of much. The idea of a gift was even harder for Liam to think about. He really was no good at all this.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 8:56 pm
The planning period seemed to drag on as he graded papers and watched the clock. Today was an important day and he wished he could have called his TA in to cover but with it being this close to final it wasn’t likely. Part of him wished Liam wanted more so that he could find an easier time getting them something. They hadn’t grown up with much, he knew that, but they also weren’t really vocal about things they wanted. More often than not they would order things on their own if they needed it instead of bringing it up to him.
Sighing, he laid his head on his desk for a minute and thought about things. He’d cooked for them that night when he’d asked them out but with how busy he was he hadn’t been able to cook as much even after Liam had healed up. It seemed even more like they were the one taking care of him which wasn’t far from the truth. It was nice for once and the fact it had been a year really was starting to settle in because it meant that not only had they been together this long, it meant that he hadn’t had a drop of liquor all this time plus another month.
Sobriety hadn’t been easy and to be honest he wasn’t sure if he could have done it without them. Another sigh came out as he sat back up and finished the last few things he needed to grade. An idea came to his mind as he reached for his coat and scarf from the wooden closet on the back wall. Looking in the mirror, he looked healthier than he’d been in his whole life even if there was a look of anxiety on his face almost permanently.
On his way home, he stopped at that bakery the quiet general had told him about months back. Grabbing a few fruit tarts and other baked goods with fresh fruit, he let them know it was for a special occasion so they would box it up accordingly. It seemed like a good start since he’d noticed they’d been ordering fruit whenever they got the chance. It made sense since it probably wasn’t something they’d had growing up.
Another stop to get a few red roses and then he made his way home as quickly as he could. The drive itself was uneventful as he thought about how lucky he was even if it made him nervous. It was a double-edged sword but he was taking steps to make sure nothing happened or in the event something did happen, he had a doctor on call now.
Pulling into the driveway he turned the car off and made sure there wasn’t a hair out of place before getting out of the car with the flowers and box of baked goods. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside and looked around before locking back up and calling out.
“Liam?”
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 8:58 pm
Hearing the front door, followed by his name being called out, Liam looked up from where he was busying himself in the kitchen. He’d prepared for the other, knowing when he should be home, he wasn’t expecting him to be running late but dinner was just finishing and was being platted as he looked up and called out a response. “In the kitchen!” Dinner was a Mediterranean seafood dish with shrimp and pasta, it smelled good, and he’d been able to follow the recipe he’d found online.
The roses sat on the kitchen table in a vase, the greens surrounding them, as the purple flowers stood out as it was such an unusual color and not what most would purchase. He knew what they’d mean to the other though and so rather than red, traditional as it was, he’d gone with purple. He knew they’d be well received.
“I’m finishing dinner for us.” Just plating it. He had bread, which he’d found time to order from a small personal out of their own kitchen business. They ran it online from instagram and he’d heard about it. The bread had arrived, from the owner/baker, nice and warm fresh from their oven. He’d gotten Italian bread, of course, so they could use it for various things.
The little cannoli kit was sitting in the fridge now, easy to see and access, so Aloysius would see that as soon as he opened the fridge for any reason.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:03 pm
Setting things down, he got out of his coat and scarf before making his way into the kitchen. Everything smelled good and he paused as he saw the purple roses on the table. For a moment he wondered where they’d found them since they weren’t really common. Reaching out he touched the petals slightly before turning to watch them as they were finishing up with the plating. “Beautiful…” Trailing off, he set the small box of sweets on the table. It looked like they’d been busy while he was working and it was more than just cooking which was something he really was grateful for as he’d been busier and busier with things as the semester was nearing its close.
He’d worn contacts today since they liked that better but he still had that habit of adjusting his glasses even if there weren’t any on his face today. Moving in closer he held out the roses he’d gotten them after they finished with what they were doing. “It really has been a year has it?” Standing here in the kitchen of this house, the one he’d avoided for almost a decade, he probably would have avoided it until the day he died if it wasn’t for them. He’d probably be a lot closer to the grave in all honesty if it hadn’t been for them, Melody’s attempts aside.
“Dinner looks amazing darling, I brought some dessert you might like. I know you have different tastes for things so I picked something a bit different than usual.”
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:04 pm
“It really has been a year.” Liam confirmed, taking the flowers from Aloysius. “They are lovely, thank you.” Sniffing gently, not shoving his nose into them, he stared up at the other. “We should put the roses together…I think the vase has the room.” The vase certainly had room, enough for these extra dozen roses, and the purple and red would look really good together especially with the dark green leafy things next to them. He wasn’t sure what they were called though they looked a bit like a fern, he knew nothing about plants.
“Oh?” Surprise etched across his face as he looked at the box and held out his hands. “I got you dessert as well….it’s in the fridge. I thought you might appreciate it…or maybe take offense to it since you can make it yourself from scratch.” Which he knew the other could but this might be easier and nicer. “A new grocery store opened in the city and I went shopping there earlier.”
Aloysius had been thinking right with the desert, as Liam would prove soon enough, because fresh produce had never been easy in the orphanage. It was expensive, for them anyway, and with so many mouths to feed it just wasn’t the best idea. They made easy things which fed many people. Fruits were something he enjoyed now, had since he’d been on his own, and he would splurge, as he would consider it, on expensive things including asian pears - which were delicious. Because who would spend three dollars on a single pear? He had…and he’d do it again. Fruits were something he enjoyed, more than vegetables for certain.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:05 pm
“Of course, if you want to add them to the vase while I look at what you have in the fridge? It sounds like cannoli with how you said that and I do like making them but sometimes it is nice trying them from other places too.” Moving towards the fridge he leaned down and looked inside, seeing the kit up front where it was easy to grab. “Oh! That looks fun, we can fill them together?” Since it really had been one or the other cooking he’d wanted to do something together in the kitchen for a while but it had been hard with how his schedule was.
“I hope the store is close enough so that you can head back there again. I know it can be difficult taking the bus or walking with groceries. We can start with your driving lessons here soon when the semester ends. I figure it will make things a lot easier for you since the trek from the bus stop to the house is a bit long.” Pecking the other on the cheek as he passed him to sit at the table, he smiled a bit more at everything. If they liked what he’d gotten form the bakery he would start heading there more often even if it was a little out of the way.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:06 pm
“Yes, though I didn’t know you’d want to try them from elsewhere. I figured it might offend you to have ones not from you.” Liam said with a smile, and a hint of laughter, he had honestly worried about it but was glad he’d gotten the large kit then.”Of course, that’s why I got it.” He said. It had the piping bags, the filling, shells and tips as well. It was everything they’d need and apparently the right amount of filling for all the shells. Based on how much being used per shell he didn’t know, it didn’t say, but they could work it out he was certain.
“It’s a bit of a trip, since we’re not in the city exactly, but the bus trip wasn’t too bad. I think you’ll like the place as well.” He said, already thinking of how much Aloysius might like it, especially all the imports they had and the fresh made pasta, gelato and more. Opening the box of baked goods he took one out, careful not to drop it or mess it up, and grabbed a plate and fork so he could sample it.
Anything with fruits, especially fresh fruits, got his attention and was typically really good. Though he’d tasted one or two odd things which he hadn’t liked. Most was good though; really good. So the first bite was met with a bright smile and a humm of approval.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:07 pm
“Even if they might be a bit different, I still think the fact that we can cook together is better. Even though I teach, I still really have no clue how to explain some of the things I cook since the recipes are either in my head or in a book not in English.” In all honesty, he really only knew what was in the book more from experience since his Italian had really fallen out of practice over a decade of not really using it.
“I can drive next time and then maybe after a few more trips you can try driving if you feel comfortable by then. Though maybe during a point when they might be a bit less busy.” He hadn’t really gone out to any stores since ordering things had become so easy. It had started because of his schedule then just kept on going as he pulled into himself more. But now things had changed, Liam had him going out places and to events here and there. It was nice especially since he got to see them dressed up a bit some of the time.
Twirling some of the pasta on his fork he tried a bit and hummed in approval as well. It had a nice balance of seasonings and was a bit more advanced than he’d seen them make before. Not that he minded simpler and hearty meals but it felt good that they were expanding their skills and making something they’d thought he’d like.
“The bakery is owned by someone I work with, they told me of it a while back but it is a bit out of the way. I thought now was as good a time as any to grab a few things for you. It has sort of a… cutesy aesthetic which surprised me given how I know one of the bakers but if you want to go there they also make all sorts of custom things. December was very adamant that they could make anything someone wanted there.”
Sure it might be a bit of spoiling but he wanted to spoil them. It just felt hard since he really only knew how to do it with gifts and words. When it came to gifts it was always so difficult.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:08 pm
“I think that would be fine, with driving, perhaps even just the streets here.” Since this was all residential and not that busy most of the time, it seemed safer to try driving here. He did want to learn to drive though, it would be a useful skill to learn especially now, living outside the city meant travel into the city for things took longer and cost more. It would be better if he could drive to school and work, even if gas costs weren’t much better.
“Someone you work your day job or your night job with?” He was curious, not that it mattered, the pastry was great and he finished it rather quickly. Liam even took the time to lick the fork clean, it really was delicious. “Looks I don’t care about so much as flavor and it being good. This is good, really good.” It was fruity and sweet and perfect.
“ Is the pasta and sauce good?” He had taken the time to follow the recipe as well as he could, it was all new for him, but he was good at those sorts of things. It was how he’d learned to cook for the others when he was getting old enough to help in the cooking of meals. “And I’ve heard cooking as described as a feeling…just knowing something is right or what it needs. I think I can understand that but I’ve never had to do it. But I think I know what you mean when you say it.”
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:09 pm
“Of course, whatever you feel most comfortable with. There will be plenty of time with the semester ending.” It was always a nice lull in activity when he got to focus more on things for the Negaverse but this year he was looking forward to just spending more time at home or out with Liam. Digging in a bit more as they spoke, he nodded before swallowing so he could answer their question.
“Night job though our meeting was random and not exactly work-related last fall. Either way a nice fellow with a very good set of skills in a bakery. I can let him know what you think the next time I go back, he seems like the type that wants to know how things go when new people try things from his bakery.” He could understand that because he also wanted to know that he was doing well for Liam, everyone else was a bit different since he still held things a bit close to the chest. Now more than ever in some cases just to make sure the other stayed safe.
“Yes, amazing actually. I would love to have this again, maybe to pack up for lunch at work or have after coming home.” If anything the fact he was eating, and rather quickly, instead of the usual slow picking at his food should be sign enough but he wanted them to know. Even if he did get full rather quickly still he enjoyed the meal.
“That would be the closest to how I go about things, especially desserts and seasonings. Things were a bit complicated between languages growing up though I am sure my sister kept more of it than I did. Are you going to eat some as well? The rest of the tarts will still be here after you eat dinner though I may try a bit of one if that is okay?” After some time to rest, he’d be up for maybe a bit more food but definitely dessert.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:09 pm
“Thanks, I think it’s about time I learn since we’re living out here. It’s a bit harder to get around, it takes longer, and I can’t always get a single bus to here.” Meaning he’d need to change buses at times, plus the walk wouldn’t be so good when the weather got bad in the fall and winter. It would be a lot better for him to finally learn to drive.
“I’ll agree with their baking skills, that was amazing.” Though perhaps it was also his lack of trying a lot of baked goods which included fruits, there was certainly a lot out there to be tasted by him, and he really was just getting into taste testing as many kinds of foods and desserts as he could. “If I wind up on good terms with my father I might even get to try other kinds of foods…” Since he was a chef. He might learn to cook better from him as well. The idea of new foods to make, and to eat, had Liam taking a large mouthful of his own food.
“I’ll keep that in mind when I’m making food for you to take to work.” Because he tried to pack various things for him, so he didn’t get bored of the same foods, while also seeking to keep it healthy for the other. As if he could somehow counter the smoking he still did and the drinking he had done. “You can have a tart as well, I’d never deny you that, but yeah the food is good. I’m glad it came out as good as it looked in the book.” Because he went by sight and what sounded good, and hoped for the best, because he really was learning still when it came to trying new things both eating and cooking.
“I could see your sister keeping to the language more…she seems the sort. I’ve never learned a language…or well Spanish in school but I really didn’t apply myself to it.” Maybe he should have but he just couldn’t get his head around it, he’d been so busy with everything else and stressed. He worried over the little ones, a lot, and helping them find families. He’d worried about them doing well in school - to impress potential families. He’d been busy trying to care for the children and help the adults, even though he was still a child himself. There was also the nervous stress every day at school and keeping his secret, not letting it get out that he was an orphan. He couldn’t let people know…and he always was on edge and watching what he said and trying not to speak about family, or the lack of family, and avoiding certain conversations in school without it being too obvious. It was stressing and learning a language had been hard and he’d failed it several times.
Maybe he’d learn from his father though? It was an idea, one he’d not mentioned, because he was still rolling the idea about in his head.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:09 pm
“I also would feel a little better about you driving since you’d be safer in a car than walking around. I know you can handle yourself but I still worry.” That and them powering up brought him a bit more stress than before they’d been hurt. But that was something to handle over time because he couldn’t just keep them cooped up.
Reaching out to grab one of their hands, he gave them a reassuring smile. “I think you will wind up on good terms with them, you are a wonderful and hardworking person.” He knew it was important to them given everything they’d been without growing up. In a way, he was a bit nervous because of his own experiences with family but if things worked out it would be really good for the other.
“Thank you, it has been helping a lot on the nights I have to stay late for grading or prep work. However, I think a few of my students are getting jealous of the food I have. I think they were used to me just having tea and a cigarette or two for lunch.” It had been a habit, a cycle that had kept on and on for a while because smoking made him less hungry and it just was easier to work without breaking when he wasn’t hungry. But the other hadn’t let him grab another pack, had him quit cold turkey and he was still not doing as well with it each time he walked past the smoking area.
Pulling his hand back, he shuffled through the box of sweets and grabbed one of the tarts that had apples on it. Picking at it slightly at first, it wasn’t something he normally ate but it was pretty good. Just as good as the eclairs or cannoli he had tried from the place previously. Halfway through the tart, he paused as they commented about his sister. It touched a nerve, if just slightly and he wondered for a moment before responding. “Yes, Melody was always out and about at events so she used it more. Even now she is the one that manages all the social matters of things, it was… never really my strongest point due to things…” Trailing off, he shook the thoughts away as he finished off the tart and leaned back in to look at the other.
“Learning a language in school can be a bit hard but if you want I am sure Melody could help or if you want I can try picking it back up maybe. I would actually have someone to speak it with then so I might get more use out of it this time around. Something not as hectic or pressured since tests or quizzes will be avoided.”
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:09 pm
“Allright, then we’ll work on me learning to drive. I think I’d like you teaching me anyway. I know people get excited to learn to drive, to get their permits, but I never got excited over it…because I’d never have a car or need a license.” Because why would an orphan need a permit at sixteen years old? He’d never have a car to drive of his own. The workers at the orphanage had never taught the children, most were adopted before they hit sixteen, but he’d never asked and they’d never offered. He’d been fine with it and accepted it. He’d accepted everything life had sent his way and worked with it. But he was being offered lessons now by someone who cared, who wanted to help him, and that meant a lot to Liam.
“Thank you, I really am hoping my father and I can be close. I’d like to meet him in person eventually.” He would like to know Italian, to greet the man in a language he spoke, he wanted to make the man happy and he wanted to reach out and take hold of a part of himself he’d not known till Melody had helped him in finding these things. He wanted to grasp the culture he knew he was from, or at least the culture his father was from, he was a first generation half Italian and there was some sort of pride in that. He could claim something finally…because he’d never even known his proper birthday.
“You know you can always come home and grade or do prep work? I would mind sitting in bed with you while you work on things….” The idea actually was appealing, like something you expected from a couple, it just seemed rather mundane and easygoing. “But if you're going to do it at work I’ll keep sending you with food and I did order a container to keep tea in…so I’ll be sending you with tea as well.” He might just go a bit further with that for Aloysius, especially since graduation was coming up. Maybe he could just drop by from time to time with more tea for the other? He doubted he’d mind…and his students…he didn’t care what they thought.
“If you’d like I would prefer learning it with and from you…to be honest. I think it would be nice.” Even if he knew Melody would be more than happy to help him, she might even take some sort of pride in it. “And I’d be more than happy to sing for you, as often as you like…even if you wanted me to sing in front of a class or two.” Because he didn’t sing a lot and he knew Aloysius didn't hear it from him much at all. “Maybe in time I’ll be able to combine Italian and singing….” Ohhh, now that would be nice, he rather liked that idea actually.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:10 pm
“I will do my best, I learned a bit late myself. I only learned… well quite a while back now but I was almost twenty when I learned.” He’d only been able to figure it out after he’d escaped to college. It wasn’t ideal but he’d managed without getting into any accidents without anyone there to really guide him along.
“One day, I am fairly certain Melody probably has something in the works for that. She really does seem to care for you, I find it surprising but it works out for us.” It meant that she listened to Liam and had stepped back and was leaving him mostly alone outside of the lessons they taught together at the various Evans family homes.
Waving his hand at the comment about bringing homework he shook his head. “Too much to carry out to my car and then lug here. As much as I would love the company or to work from bed, my job makes it hard to do that. If I had smaller classes maybe but since I am the only professor for the higher-level music theory courses I get a lot of overflow students from every grouping it seems.” Aloysius nodded and smiled at the mention of more home-cooked meals and tea to go along with those longer work nights. “Of course, I would love that and you could always join me if you would like. After you graduate though because then that homework of yours will not be there to make me go cross-eyed. Honestly, I would really appreciate it, it was why I put that mirror in my coat closet.”
Finishing up with his food, he started to think where the old textbooks he had for Italian might be in this house. They were probably in one of the storage rooms full of boxes that they still hadn’t gone through, mostly because he didn’t want to happen upon something that would send him down a path of bad memories like when he’d seen a stain on the carpet that he very much remembered how it came to be.
“We can start that as soon as we find the books, they are somewhere in this house. I know I had stopped with it when I moved to my smaller one in the city so it has been about ten years since I looked through them. Assuming they have avoided the jaws of silverfish or bookworms.” The mention of singing in Italian had a complicated feeling stir inside of him. It had been a very long time since he’d done that, since before his grandfather had passed away because they had been the one to sing with him.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2024 9:10 pm
“I’m glad your sister likes me, it would only add to the tension between you both if she didn’t like me.” As it stood Melody liked him and let him play middle man between them. Knowing his position, and wanting to help them both, he tried to be that bridge between the two as much as he could. “Considering you taught yourself to drive I think you’ll do just fine teaching me, I don’t think I’m like most sixteen year olds first learning to drive.” And speeding and blasting music, all things he had no interest in doing.
“I’ll put that mirror to use…and I am sorry my own homework makes you go cross eyed, though I do find it amusing as well. We could also see if I can’t mirrorwalk some of your papers home and maybe you could manage some paperwork from bed?” Because it wouldn’t be that bad - right? It was something they could try perhaps, so Aloysius didn’t need to spend as much time at the university working. Because didn’t he also do more? His family did make money somehow and he was involved in that.
“I’ll order some books if you want, or I’ll drop by a bookstore tomorrow and see if I can’t find some books for us, that way we don’t need to go book hunting in the house?” Liam was quick to offer, it seemed an easier option for the two of them, and they could. Finishing his meal soon after Aloysius the blond went to wash his dishes before leaving them to dry and going to drape himself over the taller male. “Let me see if I can’t mirrorwalk some of your work home, or all of it, so you can be home earlier.” He would, hopefully, get to help the other organize his schedule for the next school year so he’d have more free time.
“Then you can rest while you work. You’ll sleep better also, I know it.”
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